AR-News: Rikers Island (NYC) Geese Slaughter---Sample Letter

[DTanzer16 at aol.com]

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Forwarded Message: 

Subj:[AGA] /Countdown To Geese Slaughter On Rikers Island 
Date:6/17/2004 4:38:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:bizshows at att.net
To:Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent from the Internet (Details)






On June 25, 2004 NYC Dept. of Correction (DOC) will slaughter 200-250 Canada 
geese living on Rikers Island. PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS IMMEDIATELY--EVEN IF 
YOU DO NOT LIVE IN NEW YORK.

SAMPLE LETTER FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE / http://www.kinshipcircle.org
6/16/04--Countdown To Geese Slaughter On Rikers Island
1 letter

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
United Action for Animals, info at ua4a.org
http://www.ua4a.org
additional contact information: http://www.nyc.gov/
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doc/home.html

New York Daily News / Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Geese face doom to clear LaG path, BY LISA L. COLANGELO

Letters to the editor:
voicers at edit.nydailynews.com

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these letters is verified with the original 
source. I cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or 
for the consequences of its use.

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee the validity of email addresses. During a 
campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.

**IF YOU ARE A NEW YORK RESIDENT/TAXPAYER BE SURE TO STATE THIS IN YOUR 
COMMENTS.

===============SAMPLE LETTER===============

Martin Horn, DOC Commissioner
New York City Department of Correction
60 Hudson St.
New York, NY, 10013
ph: 212-266-1212  
email: mhorn at probation.nyc.gov
online form: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildoc.html

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
ph: 212-788-3000; fax: 212-788-2460 
email: mbloomberg at cityhall.nyc.gov
online form: http://nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

Dear Mr. Horn and Mayor Bloomberg:

I am shocked to learn about the NYC Department of Correction's plan to 
slaughter an estimated 200-250 Canada geese living on Rikers Island on June 25, 
2004. I understand USDA wildlife management specialists are under contract to net 
and kill the birds, who have been disproportionately linked with aircraft 
collisions at nearby LaGuardia Airport. 

DOC, Port Authority and the USDA have quietly arranged the extermination 
without advisement from avian experts or animal protection organizations. I 
strongly oppose this plan and urge you to resolve geese conflicts in a more humane 
and reliable manner.

The facts don't seem to add up. Media reports describe 500 geese, yet a DOC 
official on Rikers confirms a maximum 200-250 birds. The Port Authority claims 
Canada geese are an imminent threat to public safety--even though there have 
only been 16 goose strikes in two decades.

Moreover, destroying geese is a quick fix that offers no enduring solution. 
When a significant sector of the flock is removed, new animals migrate in or 
the population rebounds due to an abundance of food and space. Will Rikers 
Island become a killing field for geese who return to the area year after year?

Please pursue non-violent means to reduce flock growth. I encourage you to 
review the successful use of combined methods such as egg addling, scare 
devices, repellents and habitat modification in Virginia, Maryland and other states.

Coexisting peacefully with wildlife requires diligence, creativity and an 
open mind. Please do not kill these majestic birds who bond in close-knit social 
groups and mate for life.

Thank you,
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